Independence Day is just round the corner. For some, it’s just another holiday. Another day to watch movies and party. TV channels will air the same set of “patriotic movies”. Some channels will also have the annual ritual of holding debates and discussion with eminent panelists. And the most favorite topic would be youth. Some sincere citizens find it really amusing to blame the younger generation for anything and everything. Well, this generation may not be exactly what you wanted but face it…do you have a choice. Then there will be another set of young and energetic people who would go on about the sorry state of the nation due to inefficiencies of the older generation. Without realizing that one cannot always have everything served on a platter…not even a perfect country. Well, this could go on forever. However, as a part of the younger generation, this Independence Day does call for some introspection.
Ok…so there’s corruption, crime, socio-economic disparity to deal with. But to counter that, we have a strong international repute, knowledge base and a well-equipped, educated work force. So what is missing? Will? Efforts? Focus? I would say a little bit of all of these. And priority. I believe corruption and crime are the worst evils of our society which need to be dealt with on priority. Why? Simple.
Corruption, at any and every level, robs an individual of his basic rights ( to food, security, employment, justice and social well-being) and places them into the hands of those who do not deserve it. So get corruption out of the system and we have a cleaner and a fairer society. Crime is directly proportional to crime. Corruption aids the wrong-doers. As simple as that. Absence of corruption would ensure that criminals are brought to justice and more importantly, in justified amount of time.
I am extremely proud of being a part of a generation which has equal passion while marching towards India Gate for a protest or while enjoying a Chennai Express. Both are important characters of a truly democratic society. What I strongly wish on this Independence Day is to this this passion with a pinch of focus, a dash of will and a spoonful of efforts. And we have just the right recipe for “India Shining”.
